Intermittent claudication: exercise-increased walking distance is not related to improved cardiopulmonary fitness.

Objectives: To assess if exercise training improves the symptoms of intermittent claudication by improvement in cardiopulmonary fitness.

Methods: Claudication distance (CD), maximum walking distance (MWD), calf endurance (repetitive heel raises), cardiovascular fitness (VO2 peak), and ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) were measured in 16 subjects with intermittent claudication before, and following an 8-week treadmill training programme.

Results: Training resulted in a median increase in CD of 65.